"Alright, let's just do a quick recap for the ones at home who somehow don't know just yet...
My name is Penny Parker. I was bitten by a radioactive spider, and for the three and a half years, I have been the one, the only, Spider-Girl. I'd like to think you all can piece together the rest...
Just as my powers were starting to kick in, I lost someone who helped me in a way a father figure really should... Uncle Ben. And the last words he had ever told me were that 'With Great Power, there must also come Great Responsibility'.
I worked with the Avengers, Fought the Vulture, saved my friendly neighborhood from some not so friendly bad guys,.. then saved the friendly neighborhood again, and again, and again... But even after every punch I take, I still LOVE being Spider-Girl. I mean, who wouldn't?
I don't care how many hits I take. I always find some way to come back. Start suit or not, the only thing standing between this city and complete destruction... Is people like me. I mean, there is only one Spider-Girl...
And you're looking at her!"
... ... ...
At least, that's what I'd like to say. But seeing as how the school year is starting up again, I have to go through the same struggle again...
The struggle of having to balance school life, Penny life, and Hero life into just a few hours... At this point, one would imagine that it'd be easier. On paper, right? Nope. In practice, it's a miracle I'm even considered a top student...
Ultimately, the day wasn't going to wait for me to be ready. So with a lazy hand, I slapped my alarm off just before it began to shout at me, saving me the headache as I sat up and wiped the sleep from my eyes. I guess I tried a little to hard to do the whole 'Spidey' thing on the last day of Summer, huh... Honestly, my body just feels beat up from fighting Rhino again...
Well, now would be a better time than any to get ready for school...
And so I went with what was my normal routine. Most wouldn't consider it as normal, but hey, I'm used to standing out. I first began with underwear, obviously, then my webbing gear and Spider-Girl suit. I just stuffed the mask and gloves into my pocket, that way I can access it with ease...
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And now clad in my red and blue suit, I turned around and looked into the mirror... Luckily it didn't look like there were any scratches or anything on it, so I definitely didn't have to sew it back up or tell Mr. Stark about it... Knowing him, he'd probably just make me an Ironman suit or something. As cool as it would be, I imagine it'd be expensive to maintain...
"Looking good, Penny." I smiled, now deciding to get dressed for school.
As I threw my shirt on and ran down the stairs to meet Aunt May, who was on the phone talking with someone... But I wasn't to worried about who she was talking with. More of... what she was talking about...
"Things aren't getting easier Anna.. It's getting harder to find jobs with a wage that'll help maintain our living. Ben was.. many, many wonderful things, but he was no financial wizard... But even after all this time I.. I still miss him so much.. Oh just listen to me go on, Penny and I will manage. Just.. don't tell Penny. You know how she gets when someone is having trouble..." May sighed, clutching onto the house phone tightly into her hand. Biting my tongue, I decided to make it seem as if I had just made it down the stairs, stomping my feet a bit to announce my presence.
"G'Morning Aunt May!" I smiled softly, walking up to May and taking the lunch bag that was beside her. May forced a gentle smile as she returned the greeting, watching me walk away. By the time I was about to make it out of the front door, May cleared her throat.
"Penny, aren't you forgetting something?" May chuckled with a raised brow. I playfully groaned and hung my shoulders. I turned on my heel and marched over to May, giving her a hug as I chuckled.
"Love you, Aunt May."
"I love you too, Penny. Just because you're growing up doesn't mean that you're to old for love. now hurry on before you miss the bus." May smiled, kissing me on the cheek. I chuckled and ran out, waving goodbye to May as I made my way to the bus stop.
As I got closer, I saw a familiar figure. My best friends, Ned Leeds and MJ were waiting at the bus stop, seemingly waiting for me while he read a comic book on the bench. Once Ned noticed I was running near by, He smiled and turned the page, waving to me.
"Hey Penny, What do you think? I'm trying on hats now. G'day"Ned smirked, tipping his hat.
"I wouldn't do that. You look like a Discord mod." MJ advised, startling Ned as he shot up from the bench, who took the hat off and threw it at her.
"When.. did you get here? Why are you even here?? You don't even live in this neighborhood..."
"... No reason." MJ mumbled, avoiding eye contact with either of us. I couldn't help but chuckle, dismissing MJ's mysterious nature as she buried her face into her book once again.
"The hat really didn't work though. Sorry Ned" I chuckled dryly. Ned looked down at his now crumbled hat and sighed.
"The road to being a Chad is a long one I guess..."
While I tried to console Ned, we noticed that the bus was arriving. With Ned putting the hat into his bag and MJ putting her bookmark in to save where she was leaving off, the three of us began to make our way into the bus, with Ned leading, me in the middle, and MJ behind me.
Along the way to the back of the bus, my eyes couldn't help but wonder the various faces that I walked past. From Betty Brant, to Liz Allen, all the way to Cindy Moon. Flash Thompson wasn't here, with him finally getting his own car, he didn't need to pay for the bus anymore... Honestly, it was a big relief for Penny.
What wasn't a relief was how (YN) Conners was seated with Liz... It stung a bit. In a way that made MJ feel the need to hurry along, having Ned sit beside Betty, having me sit down with herself.
Taking the window seat, MJ sat beside me and sighed, clicking her tongue as she gathered her words...
"... I don't need your help, MJ. I just.. I'll be fine." I sighed, looking out the window while I heard MJ rummage through her bag.
"You sure? You liked the guy since... what, Junior high? What, are you scared of commitment too?" She asked, taking a pen out. "Stay put, thanks..."
Shaking my head, I decided to just stay put while MJ did her thing... whatever she was doing.
"It's just.. Whenever I find the courage to do something, Someone else beats me to it... Or he is just unapproachable... Like you, ya'know?"
"If I'm unapproachable... then why do you approach.. me.." MJ mumbled quietly. I sighed, resting my head against the window, watching as Liz rested her head on his shoulder. Such a sight made me tingle... the image of being where Liz was. How I.. I wouldn't be able to do anything but watch him from afar... Being Spider-Girl, I can't risk him being to close... I already take big enough of a chance with Ned and MJ... but if someone like Electro or Goblin discovered I was in a relationship, then (YN) would be in constant danger...
I can't do that to him... So I need to keep up the excuse that I'm to anxious... That everyone else beats me to it. Though... I guess I do tend to get a pretty bad case of butterflies around him, despite being bitten by a spider...
But still... even though I know I can't give him the life he would deserve, I still get more and more hurt as I see a new girl by his side... He needs to be happy. Even if he's happy without me...
